LIVE from the Sapphire Princess - Sydney to Los Angeles

[caribill]

Also tonight will be another clock changing event; ahead we go for a loss of an hour’s sleep.

 

 

Pia -- In case you are keeping track of time at home, daylight savings time ends in the USA this Sunday morning at 2 AM when it becomes 1 AM again.

[pegpowell]

Pia, is Ed (of Ed and Jeff), the Ed from the pier staff in San Francisco? If so, tell him Peg says hello.

[Dorset Cruiser]

It’s a beautiful Friday morning with sunny skies and calm seas, and yes, already pretty hot for early in the AM. We now have two relaxing days at sea before arriving into Moorea on Sunday.

　

On the agenda for today is a Cruise Critic Meet and Greet arranged by our cruise director; in the Wheelhouse at 11:00 and a lecture at 11:30 on Earthquakes, Archeology and Civilization. There’s a choice at 1:00 PM of a margarita demonstration at the Neptune pool, or a forensics lecture in the theater. Lecture subject is “Bill Cosby’s son’s Slaying.” Today’s movie at 2:30 is My One and Only with Renee Zellweger and Kevin Bacon. Of interest is that the casino staff has been holding “seminars” for the German passengers. They did one for slots and today there’s one for Black Jack.

　

In the Wheelhouse from 5:00 to 7:00 PM will be Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night. As I understand it, Guy Fawkes, a 17th century Englishman, was caught in the cellars of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. He was tried as a traitor against the government, was sentenced to death and was executed by being hung, drawn and quartered. This evidentally occurred on November 5th, so there is a tradition on this night that fireworks are used and bonfires are lit. My question is: In the Wheelhouse? When/if I get the info I will let you know.

Tonight is formal night and another production show night of Piano Man. Jack Wilks is also performing again in Explorer’s. We enjoy Jack’s shows so definitely will attend that one. Also tonight will be another clock changing event; ahead we go for a loss of an hour’s sleep.

 

Breakfast time.

 

 

Yes - it is Bonfire Night on 5th November here in the UK. Loads of fireworks have been going off tonight all over the bay where we live on the coast in Dorset. It was also my dear dad's birthday on 5th November - God rest him - he would have been 92 years old today. We often jokingly threatened to burn him on the bonfire - that is also a tradition where a 'Guy' is made up in the shape of a man and it is then put on the bonfire - we are a funny old lot in the UK:rolleyes:

 

'Remember, remember, the Fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot

For if you remember

The Fifth of November will never be forgot!

 

Hope you all enjoy your bonfire party in Explorers:D

[canadiansnowbird]

 

Did you hear anything good, bad, or indifferent from anyone who went to Tisa's Barefoot bar on this leg or the previous one? We were there just after the tsunami last fall, and are thinking of going there again next fall on Sapphire's 28-day SP RT from LA - can you believe there are already almost 200 on our roll call for that October 22, 2011 cruise?

 

Love "reliving" with you so again thanks so much for your dailies.

 

Bucky3:

We went with the crowd to Tisa's Barefoot bar in PagoPago and had a wonderful time. We had the tour beforehand as well. Tisa was a terrific hostess and the beer and Margarita's were wonderful as well as the swim. I would recommend her highly.

Although what I would NOT recommend and everyone on our tour was in agreement. We were ripped off royally. We paid $75.US for the tour in Apia with Bertie's Tour. We went to Robert Louis Stevenson's Museum, went to the B'Hai temple, no one there to explain a thing about the B'Hai faith. Did not go to ONE waterfall, just drove for one and one half hour to the beach where we had German buns, bananas, coconut meat for lunch which the lady in charge of the tour brought with her. Then drove 1 1/2 hours back to the ship.

What was the kicker, the other group that took the similiar tour and ended up at the same lunch location had a fish dinner, went to the waterfalls and had a roasted pig at that location and paid only $54.00US.

 

Snowbird

[bananavan]

Hi Pia:

 

Have been looking at what goes on the return trip with you. Tony & I are still fighting jet lag. We tried for a few days to go without any meds, and were awake all night and were sleeping in the day. Then it was sleeping for a few hours at night, waking and having a hard time to go back to sleep. Took something one night and forgot I had to get up early for an appointment. I've been told it will take up to 2 weeks.

Snowbird

 

Gail:

Now we see why we should have stayed on the ship. We have been back a week and although our entire time has been taken up by travel to get home to Punta Gorda, this jet lag is a Royal pain. :(

We were so incredibly lucky to have seen that part of the world. Pia just gets to have deja vu all over again.

I love reading Pia's entries. It is nice to relive that wonderful part of the world.

Evana

[kruisey]

Hi Pia:

 

Have been looking at what goes on the return trip with you. Tony & I are still fighting jet lag. We tried for a few days to go without any meds, and were awake all night and were sleeping in the day. Then it was sleeping for a few hours at night, waking and having a hard time to go back to sleep. Took something one night and forgot I had to get up early for an appointment. I've been told it will take up to 2 weeks.

Looks like most of the movies are a repeat of our first leg. Entertainment doesn't look that good either. I miss your wonderful hot weather you are getting though. Tony said that we should have looked at the return also by sea, anything but that airplane trip!!!!

The whole cruise was like a dream though, I had to pinch myself at each island to realize I was actually there.

 

Keep it up Pia

PS: How was the Pub and Poker Crawl?

Snowbird

This Jet Lag lasted for nine days for me this is the first day I have not had to drag myself around with a hangover feeling ..Gee its so nice today to be myself again:)

Flew back to Vancouver on 27th three days after debarkation.

[Pia1913]

Richard really outdid himself this time and everyone showed up. By everyone I mean the Captain, the Staff Captain, the Hotel Manager, the Maitre D’, the Bar Manager, the Customer Service Manager, the Asst. CD, other staff members and of course Richard, our great Cruise Director. Oh…….did I mention the Cruise Critic members? We had a great time really meeting and greeting and also indulging in coffee, tea, juice, assorted sandwiches and pastries. Every time you looked around another tray of goodies arrived. I don’t think most of our members realized that this is not a usual M & G on most ships and the reason we had it is because of the CD. Richard, if you read this, thanks again.

 

 

 

As for the Guy Fawkes celebration in the Wheelhouse, that’s where I am right now. Just outside the Wheelhouse. There are a few people sitting around; some in twos and others in groups of four. Perhaps 20 in the whole room. Nothing happening. There’s a table set up with hot trays but nobody seems to be partaking in whatever is in them.

 

 

Peg: Yes, same Ed. I will give regards tomorrow.

 

Bucky: As Gail mentioned, we were the "other" group that got the great $54 bargain tour. :D

 

See you all tomorrow.

[mississauga]

Pia, from what I have read in previous posts, Richard, your CD is only on the Sapphire back to LA. Tell him we would like him to come on the Ruby for December....lol :D

[hmh60]

Richard was on our Star TA and Baltic cruise this past spring. I love his intrerest in old ocean liners. He's always willing to chat about them. Where is he going next?

[Woobstr112G]

Richard really outdid himself this time and everyone showed up. By everyone I mean the Captain, the Staff Captain, the Hotel Manager, the Maitre D’, the Bar Manager, the Customer Service Manager, the Asst. CD, other staff members and of course Richard, our great Cruise Director. Oh…….did I mention the Cruise Critic members? We had a great time really meeting and greeting and also indulging in coffee, tea, juice, assorted sandwiches and pastries. Every time you looked around another tray of goodies arrived. I don’t think most of our members realized that this is not a usual M & G on most ships and the reason we had it is because of the CD. Richard, if you read this, thanks again.

 

 

As for the Guy Fawkes celebration in the Wheelhouse, that’s where I am right now. Just outside the Wheelhouse. There are a few people sitting around; some in twos and others in groups of four. Perhaps 20 in the whole room. Nothing happening. There’s a table set up with hot trays but nobody seems to be partaking in whatever is in them.

 

 

Peg: Yes, same Ed. I will give regards tomorrow.

 

Bucky: As Gail mentioned, we were the "other" group that got the great $54 bargain tour. :D

 

See you all tomorrow.

 

Pia;

 

Glad you had a wonderful M & G to highlight what sounds like a great day at sea.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Pia1913]

Other than the fact that we lost an hour of sleep, today is another day just like yesterday. Beautiful sun shiny morning with calm seas and warm/hot weather. Happy Saturday everyone! It’s November 6th and we’re down to only 14 more days.

 

 

It’s going to be a day of reading for us, because in between two trivias the only thing of interest will be the forensics guy at 1:00 PM. The topic today is “Menendez Brothers of Beverly Hills.” I’m sure you all remember these two murdered their parents. Also, we are actually going to Bingo, because we each got a free ticket to play the last coverall game which will be worth $1500. All those participating in the Kwik Quiz (that’s the progressive), got one yesterday.

 

 

Those of you who read my first LIVE from the previous cruise might recall there was a vodka tasting event. They will be doing it again today, but this time I’m passing. I really just prefer wine to any kind of hard liquor.

;)

　

The movie today is Sherlock Holmes which will be shown at 2:30 and again at 10:00 PM and in the theater will be a repeat of Piano Man. Also a repeat, in Explorer’s is Jack Wilks.

 

 

Mary: Richard is getting off in L.A. for two weeks and then he goes to the Island.

 

I'm hungry. See you later.

[captainron]

Glad you're having a great time with Richard as your CD. We also were fortunate to have him on our SYD/LAX voyage on the Star last year, which was rather special.

 

Richard celebrated his 50th last year and so we along with the CD staff had one super birthday surprise and welcome for him in Explorers when he arrived for morning trivia at 0900hrs. Needless to say, it was a geat day for Richard and a super cruise for us as passengers.

 

Really enjoying your blog on the cruise, and glad you're enjoying the tropical breezes as you cruise around French Polynesia and the Samoas. Next stop HNL????

 

Ciao for now!!!

[mississauga]

Mary: Richard is getting off in L.A. for two weeks and then he goes to the Island.

 

LOL... wishful thinking on my part. I know the schedules for CD's are already set so know who my CD is. Up to this point, none of the Princess CD's have been as impressive as Richard so was just hoping to have him on a longer cruise.:)

[dianef]

Have been following this blog as I have friends sailing on this cruise.

 

Pia,I remember Richard posting that he is going to the Golden, when he gets off your cruise in Los Angeles.I am going on the Golden to Hawaii on December 8 and I was under the impression that he will be our CD.If you get a chance can you clarify with him please?

[coo359a2]

Nibbled and swallowed the hook, line and sinker but it could be spit out:D Email to come.

[san diego sue]

Pia,

I thought Richard was going to be CD on The Golden for our cruise next month .Can you please ask him again on this.

Thanks

[Pia1913]

BINGO Update: We were told we couldn’t use the freebie tickets on today’s Bingo. So, we will have to wait until the new sessions start and the prize gets lower. OK with me, since our investment is still zero.

 

 

Richard: Definitely not the Golden. Richard is boarding the Island on December 5th until February and then he has a few weeks off and expects to reboard the Island in April.

 

Capt. Ron: We are on our way to Moorea. Honolulu still a ways off.

[Pia1913]

nibbled and swallowed the hook, line and sinker but it could be spit out:d email to come.

 

yippee!!!!!! :d:d:d

[Bucky3]

Gail - Very very sorry to hear the Apia tour was a bust. Very surprised to hear that.

 

Pia - What tour operator did you use in Apia?

[Pia1913]

Good Morning from hot and sunny Moorea. We arrived a short time ago and will be here until 5:00PM. We will then sail the short distance to Papeete where we are expected to arrived at 8:00 PM and remain there all day tomorrow. This is a tender port and we have not yet decided whether or not to go ashore. We did on the last cruise and came right back. The only thing here that interests us is a 4WD tour and we’ve done that before.

 

 

Nothing happening aboard today. Movie du jour is ”Extraordinary Measures” which we saw on the last cruise. It will be shown at 2:00 PM and also as the evening entertainment in Explorer’s at 7:00 and 9:30. In the theater will be the “Hei Tahiti” folkloric show. We don’t want to see this one again, so our evening will be relaxing, reading and perhaps watching an in cabin movie

 

 

Bucky: Jane (Maui Globe Trotters) arranged this Apia tour for our group of eight, so I don't have a clue. We were just fortunate to be part of it.

[regnig]

No sympathy from here that you’ve already seen almost all the onboard movies! :p

 

Really think they should have let you use your Bingo ticket "anytime" as you have earned it.

[Pia1913]

“While you were Sleeping“, the old Sandra Bullock movie. That’s what we watched last night. Remembered some of it, but enjoyed it again.

 

　

Good Morning from Papeete, where we arrived last night at 8:00 PM and where we will be until 5:00 PM. Again nothing much happening aboard ship today other than trivia, some other assorted games and the movie Clash of the Titans. Tonight in the theater there’s vocalist Sam Holder and another showing of the above movie in Explorer’s. There’s also going to be a deck party from 9:30 to midnight with a tropical buffet opening at 10:00. Just what everyone needs; more food and desserts.

 

 

The casino is advertising a complimentary slots and BJ tournament from 10 to 11 PM. I’m tempted to hang around to see what it’s all about. We’ll see if I can stay up for it.

 

 

Going to have some breakfast now and then get off to find some items we need. See you later.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

 

From the bridge cam , with Moorea in the distance.

Enjoy your "relaxing" sea days Pia , as you head back up to Hawaii.:)

[Pia1913]

It’s Tuesday morning in Bora Bora, where we arrived at 7:00 and will depart at 4:00. Weather remains the same; sunny, hot and humid.

 

 

Nothing to report on last night’s deck party since we didn’t go. Also nothing to report on the “complementary” slot and BJ tourneys, since we didn’t get there either. We spent 2 ½ hours up in Skywalkers in the Elite lounge, had our drinks and snackies which proved to be our dinner.

 

 

 

Another quiet day on board with Robin Hood as the afternoon movie and again being shown in Explorer’s twice in the evening. The theater has String Fever which is supposed to be two zany (Richard’s description) Australian guys with string instruments.

 

 

 

Off we go shortly to tender over ashore. I know there’s nothing there for us, but just doing it for a change of scenery. Bye.

[Pia1913]

Still here in Bora Bora with last tenders just arriving from shore. I’m sitting in Club Fusion waiting for trivia. I was sitting on my balcony when two doors down someone was smoking and I started choking. Had to get into a highly sterilized AC’d environment and this one is fine.

 

　

Nothing to report; just a lazy day after going ashore for probably no more than ½ hour. Mike always thinks he may have missed something, so we needed to go through the “stores” again. Actually he had to go through them. I waited outside. :D

 

 

I hate to say it, but I’m getting sniffly again with a dry little cough. Just put myself back on antibiotics. Coming up now are 4 sea days; my favorite part of cruising. Since I’m just babbling and saying nothing, I will leave you until tomorrow morning. :)